Image: C. Gallianik — CC BY 3.0Imagine a scooter designed to combat tanks. This was the Vespa 150 TAP, a bizarre military invention from the 1950s. It was crafted for French paratroopers, making it a unique blend of mobility and firepower. The scooter was modified from a standard Vespa model, featuring a reinforced frame to support its heavy armament.
Equipped with a 75 mm recoilless rifle, this machine was not just for show. The M20 recoilless rifle could penetrate significant armor, yet the entire setup remained light enough for paratroopers to deploy. The scooter was parachute-dropped in pairs, each accompanied by a two-man team.
One scooter carried the rifle; the other transported ammunition. While the rifle was not intended to be fired from the scooter itself, it could be in an emergency. The weapon was mounted on a tripod for stability, ensuring that the paratroopers could use it effectively on the ground.
Known as the "Bazooka Vespa," this unconventional military vehicle was relatively inexpensive for its time. At about $500, it was affordable, especially considering the abundance of the M20 rifles. From 1956 to 1959, around 600 units were produced. Each came with essential accessories, including fuel jerrycans and ammunition.
The Vespa 150 TAP stands out in military history for its strange fusion of practicality and absurdity, proving that even in warfare, creativity knows no bounds.
